A powerful saw with a good miter gauge. The softstart feature eases into the amp load, and the electronic brake is a great safety feature. On the downside, cranking the knob to adjust the blade swings the stand unacceptably from side to side the wobbly stand makes ripping sheets of plywood awkward. Discounting the stand, this saw is solid overall with decent accessories and lots of power. However, the blade guard doesn’t flip out of the way or ride up and down with the blade, and it feels flimsy. While the guard is easiest to remove (no screws, bolts, or nuts), it feels like a throwaway. (We originally tested model 3812 the 3812S comes with the stand.)
Fine Woodworking Recommended Products
Rockler Dust Right 650 CFM
While all five of the smaller units will collect chips efficiently when deployed properly, the 3/4-hp Rockler was just a bit more powerful in our suction test.
Makita LS1219L Miter Saw
This is the saw I want in my shop. For one, it’s easy to use. All of the controls are easy to reach and manipulate, and the glide mechanism is both robust and smooth. The handle works well for righties and lefties. Then there are added bonuses that no other saw has. For instance, its hold-down is superb, as it can move to different locations, hinges for a greater range of coverage, and actually holds down the work. In addition, the saw has two points of dust collection, letting it firmly beat the rest of the field. The one downside was the saw’s laser, which was so faint we had to turn off the shop lights to see it. Still, all these pluses in a package that fits tight to the wall? That’s a winner for me.
Rikon 10-3061 10-in. Deluxe Bandsaw
The 1⁄2-hp motor has all the power needed to resaw at its maximum capacity of 5 in.
The saw has two speeds: 3,280 sfpm (surface feet per minute) for wood and 1,515 sfpm for soft metals and some plastics.
Editor Test Results:
Table Flatness | N/A |
Parallel Test | N/A |
Arbor Runout | N/A |
Noise Level | 89 db. |
Manufacturer Specifications:
Manufacturer | Porter-Cable |
Manufacturer's Web Site | www.deltaportercable.com |
Manufacturer's Phone Number | 888-848-5175 |
Max Rip Capacity | N/A |
Dust Collection | N/A |
Fence | Stock |
Horsepower | N/A |
Amps | 15 amp |
Volts | N/A |
Table Size | 25 1/4 in. by 20 in. |
Blade Size | 10 in. |
Blade Tilt | N/A |
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